Improvement methods in biobanking and biorepository processes: systematic review and research trends
Improvement methods in biobanking and biorepository processes: systematic review and research trends
Purpose – A quality management system that enhances processes is essential for every biobank and biorepository operation. This study aims to provide an overview of research development and trends in process improvement for biobanks and biorepositories through a bibliometric analysis of existing literature, emphasizing the correlation between these systems and operational improvements.
Design/methodology/approach – Following PRISMA guidelines, this review utilized the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The review protocol was registered in Mendeley Data under DOI 10.17632/8kx4fb3g6j.1. A total of 158 publications were included based on specific criteria, including full-length articles containing search terms in the title, abstract, or author-supplied keywords, alongside three other content-specific rationales. A bibliometric analysis focused on metrics such as publication year, journals, keyword co-occurrence, processes, and improvement methods.
Findings – Research trends primarily address the structural and technological aspects of biobanks and biorepositories, with greater attention to storage and processing protocols to enhance security, governance, and efficiency. A notable gap exists in the literature regarding “lean” and “guidelines/certification” improvement methods.
Research limitations/implications – The subject is delimited by the adopted English keywords and considers only the steps from regulation to distribution/disposal in biobanks and biorepositories. Future research should address this aspect.
Originality/value – This study offers a comprehensive perspective on improvements in biobanks and biorepositories, a viewpoint notably absents in the literature, which predominantly focuses on specific cases. The correlation between improvements in biobanking and biorepositories and quality management systems addresses this gap by significantly enhancing the efficiency of these processes
Biobanking, Biorepository, Process implementation, Improvement methods, Systematic Literature Review (SLR).
